Not all the diamonds are found in the first round of the NFL Draft. In the AFC West in 2023, all four teams are receiving solid value from their second-round picks through Week 11. Meanwhile, a fourth-round pick of the Browns — a giant of a man — is already a big-time producer.
Here is the top rookie on each AFC team as determined by Yardbarker NFL writers.
AFC East
BUFFALO BILLS | Tight end Dalton Kincaid (first round): The versatile Kincaid has emerged as a vital component of Buffalo’s offense since fellow tight end Dawson Knox (wrist) landed on injured reserve. In Knox’s absence over the past four games, Kincaid leads the Bills in receptions (26) and receiving touchdowns (two) and has amassed the second-most receiving yards (243).
MIAMI DOLPHINS | Running back De’Von Achane (third round): A knee injury has limited Achane to five games, but Miami has no regrets about adding another former track star to its explosive offense. Despite his brief time on the field, the 22-year-old has 532 all-purpose yards and seven touchdowns and is averaging 10.9 yards per touch.
NEW YORK JETS | Offensive lineman Joe Tippmann (second round): Tippmann has shown promise when healthy and should be a mainstay on the offensive line for the foreseeable future. Per Pro Football Focus, Tippmann has surrendered one sack and nine pressures, which is impressive considering he’s split time between right guard and center due to the multitude of injuries on the O-line.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS | Wide receiver Demario Douglas (sixth round): First-round cornerback Christian Gonzalez — the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month for September — probably would be the pick here had he not suffered a season-ending shoulder injury. Douglas is New England’s biggest draft-day steal, as he ranks second on the team in receiving yards (361) and is tied for third in receptions (30). — Colum Dell
AFC West
DENVER BRONCOS | Wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. (second round): The former Oklahoma standout has developed into an explosive playmaker, leading the team in yards per reception (19.8). He’s also effective as a returner.
“Whether it’s in the kickoff return game or punt return game, when that ball is in his hands, it’s just a level of excitement that I think is good for our unit and good for our team,” special teams coach Ben Kotwica told the Denver Post about Mims.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS | Wide receiver Rashee Rice (second round): Although he has played on only 47 percent of offensive snaps, the former SMU star is second on the team in receiving yards (420) and TD catches (four). Rice has proved he’s a reliable pass-catcher and deserves a bigger role.
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS | Tight end Michael Mayer (second round): The club’s draft class has underwhelmed, but Mayer is finding his groove. The second-round pick out of Notre Dame is fourth on the team in receptions (20), receiving yards (224) and yards after the catch (115).
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS | Linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu (second round): The former Southern Cal standout is fourth on the team in sacks (four) and second in tackles for loss (eight). As of Wednesday, oddschecker places the formidable pass-rusher in its top 10 to take home Defensive Rookie of the Year. — Clark Dalton
AFC North
BALTIMORE RAVENS | Wide receiver Zay Flowers (first round): He leads the team in receptions (53) and receiving yards (588). Flowers has also established himself as Baltimore’s best playmaker and one of the top receivers in the 2023 NFL Draft class.
CLEVELAND BROWNS | Right tackle Dawand Jones (fourth round): Jones was thrust into the starting lineup after right tackle Jack Conklin suffered a torn ACL and MCL in Week 1. The 6-foot-8, 375-pound tackle has been impressive, allowing just two sacks on 568 snaps played, per Pro Football Focus. In Week 11, he shut down Steelers superstar pass-rusher T.J. Watt.
